Moffett's regional revolution backed by landslide vote

Existence of Llanelli and Cardiff threatened by Welsh Rugby Union plan for new four-team structure as national team rediscover old passion

A little bit of passion on the pitch, and a great deal of feeling off it were the features of a historic weekend for rugby in Wales, which culminated in a landmark decision which could reduce two of its most famous names, Cardiff and Llanelli, to the role of pariahs in the game.

The EGM of the Welsh Rugby Union in Port Talbot yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of adopting a motion which approves the establishment of a new regional structure in Wales.

All 239 clubs were represented, although not all of them exercised their right to use two votes, which is why the landslide vote was 415 in favour, seven against. David Moffett, the WRU's group chief executive, presented a compelling case, speaking of a universal desire for change among the rank and file. "We have to adapt or die," he said. Moffett revealed that the total amount of money distributed to the clubs since the game went professional in 1995, was a staggering £80,664,065, "and that," he added, "is not taking into account some £20m from certain club benefactors.

"We have not had value for money. I would have liked better financial results from a business point of view. Hopefully, we will have another £80m to invest, but this time we will do it together and avoid lost opportunities of the past and the crippling debts of the present." The sticking point for Cardiff and Llanelli, though, is the fact that although the motion did not stipulate how many regions there would be, Moffett said that the Union's management board favoured four.

Stuart Gallacher, the Llanelli chief executive, was adamant. "The issue of four regional sides will be resisted by Cardiff and Llanelli," he said. "We believe we have a strong position, so it is up to the WRU to prove otherwise. We believe that the game will lose money with four sides, we calculate about £1.25m in overall broadcasting revenue alone.

Llanelli feel they should stand alone in their region. "West Wales begins at Loughor and ends at Fishguard," said Gallacher, instantly dismissing a WRU proposal that the Scarlets set up a new team with their arch rivals, Swansea.

Altogether there have been more than 30 meetings between the clubs and the WRU over the issue, they are no nearer a solution. But the simple figures of yesterday's vote give Moffett and his men a clear mandate to go ahead with the revolution.

After the two-hour meeting had ended Moffett said: "Tomorrow I will seek to have a meeting with Cardiff and Llanelli. One could argue that, the decision taken today, overwhelming as it was, was the easy part. We now have to deal with the quite substantial number of risks that go with the restructuring."

Among those risks is likely to be a legal challenge from Cardiff and Llanelli, as well as a potential threat of litigation by individual players over contracts, breach of contract by clubs with sponsors, potential wrangles with broadcasters as well as a withdrawal of patronage by generous benefactors.

"I would like to think there will not be a legal challenge, that we will be able to find a way through this without having to resort to the law," Moffett said. He is willing to talk once more to the two clubs and will not set a deadline.

"We want to get this resolved as soon as we can, we would like to have it implemented by next season. Time is of the essence. We have to sit down with all of the relevant parties, players representatives and sponsors included, and have a much closer dialogue."

"The two clubs have to take account of the wishes of the union of clubs, and they are members of it. We have to do what is in the best interests of Welsh rugby as a whole."